Broken, Exposed, Resurrected: A 12-Step Journey thru Lent, Week 2
Unknowing is often uncomfortable. We are invited into the Mystery that is God, and we are wrapped in Love.
Acknowledging what we don’t know can be a challenge. Allowing God to be a Mystery in a world where we “must know” can also be difficult. We want to know what is right. We want to know what is true. We want to be certain that God exists and that we have the correct structures and beliefs around that existence.
The story of Nicodemus we heard on Sunday invited us into a place of uncertainty, of unknowing. Nicodemus wasn’t sure who Jesus was or what exactly Jesus was teaching. Nicodemus snuck away in the dark with his questions, hoping for an answer. What he received was an invitation into the Mystery that is God, God who loves the entirety of the Cosmos.
We are invited into the same Mystery. On Sunday, I posted the poems, a link to the scripture story, and spiritual practices for your to engage in. Did you venture into the Mystery? How has it been going?
I also want to mention that if you are struggling to engage in additional activities or practices this Lent, be gentle with yourself. A poll conducted for the American Psychological Association indicates that 27% of adults living in the U.S. are so stressed that they cannot engage with life. If you are finding it hard to add new things into your days, or even managing the old ones, you are not alone.
Now is a good time to remember that no matter how you feel or what you do or do not accomplish in a day, you are God’s beloved, and we are united by the power of that same Love. I say it often because it is important, you are not alone; we are in this together.
If this is a hard season for you, maybe reaching out to someone else and letting them know what’s going on with you is the spiritual practice you need, and you can let the rest go.
I encourage all of us to find a tangible way to remember that we are all beloved, and the powerful Mystery that is God, wraps us with grace, mercy, and forgiveness continuously.
About Rachael Keefe
Rev. Dr. Rachael Keefe is the pastor of Living Table United Church of Christ. She was called to Living Table in 2015 after serving in many varied ministry settings since her ordination in 1992. She holds graduate degrees from Princeton Theological Seminary and Andover Newton Seminary at Yale (formerly Andover Newton Theological School). Her ministry and leadership often center around advocacy and accessibility. Her writing has been published by Chalice Press, The Christian Century, Red Letter Christians, Working Preacher, RevGalBlogPals, and others. She is grateful to be in ministry with Living Table today.
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Thanks for the “if you are struggling to engage in additional activities…..” part. That’s where I’m at and was a little soothed by that paragraph.
Nancy, I hear that. I’m glad there was something soothing for you, at least a little.